MOF Hybrid for Long-Term Pest Management and Micronutrient Supply Triggered with Protease

Abstract

Advanced intelligent systems for delivery of pesticides or fertilizers require formulations that allow for long-term efficacy. In this work, a metal–organic framework (MOF) hybrid was developed for long-term pest management and micronutrient supply. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 was fabricated for crop micronutrients (Zn2+) supply and insecticide dinotefuran (DNF) encapsulation. Polymethylmethacrylate was polymerized in situ to impart the MOF hybrid with sustained cargo delivery. Then, zein was introduced to facilitate protease-triggered cargo release associated with the microenvironment of pests and targeted release. The resulting MOF hybrid exhibited stimulus-responsive, slow-release behaviors. Sustained DNF delivery was achieved over a period of at least 32 days in soil. Compared with that of free DNF, the UV resistance of DNF in the MOF hybrid increased by nearly 10 times, and the insecticidal efficiency increased 33.3% with leaching treatment and 40.1% after incubating in a greenhouse for 14 days. This MOF hybrid provides a controlled, targeted, and sustained delivery formulation for long-term pest management and crop micronutrient supply and has huge application prospects in sustainable agriculture.

Facile Synthesis of the Dual Pesticide-Loaded Metal–Organic Framework Hybrid for pH-Responsive Release

“…Pesticides exposed to sunlight would be photodegraded, resulting in reduced herbicidal and insecticidal activity. ,, Therefore, it is of great importance to protect pesticides from UV radiation. The degradation of THIA and 2,4-D in TPDM was investigated under UV irradiation for 12 h, using commercial THIA and 2,4-D as controls.…”

“…However, some environmental problems, such as soil damage and water pollution, have been caused by the increasing input of agrichemicals year over year . Therefore, it is urgent to develop advanced strategies that can reduce environmental risks and deliver pesticides accurately for the sustainable development of agriculture. , …”

“…5 Therefore, it is urgent to develop advanced strategies that can reduce environmental risks and deliver pesticides accurately for the sustainable development of agriculture. 6,7 One elegant strategy to solve the low utilization rate of pesticides would be to construct controlled release formulations. 8,9 The active ingredients are combined with carriers by physical or chemical methods, and their controllable release can be achieved through intelligent responses to the surrounding microenvironment.…”

Metal–Organic Frameworks as Potential Agents for Extraction and Delivery of Pesticides and Agrochemicals

“…The zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 was used for the slow and controlled release of dinotefuran (DNF) by encapsulating the MOF in a poly­(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shell . The composites were also coated with a hydrophobic film called zein, which is a biodegradable byproduct of corn and can be only digested by the proteases present in the guts of pests, allowing for a more targeted approach for pesticide delivery.…”

“…The zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 was used for the slow and controlled release of dinotefuran (DNF) by encapsulating the MOF in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shell. 85 The composites were also coated with a hydrophobic film called zein, which is a biodegradable byproduct of corn and can be only digested by the proteases present in the guts of pests, allowing for a more targeted approach for pesticide delivery. The loading capacity of DNF was measured to be 16% by weight, with the composites possessing excellent protease and pH-triggered release, exhibiting prolonged pesticide release over a period of 32 days when tested in soil.…”